PubMed · 16260130
How social experiences influence the brain.
Abstract
Social experiences throughout life influence gene expression and behavior, however, early in development these influences have a particularly profound effect. In mammals, mother-infant interactions are the primary source of social stimulation and result in long-term changes in offspring phenotype. This has previously been demonstrated in rodents and primates, however, recent studies in rats have advanced our understanding of how these influences are achieved at a mechanistic level, through epigenetic modification, and provide a model for studying the transmission of social behavior across generations. These studies emphasize the importance of a life-history approach to the study of brain development; incorporating information about genetic background, prenatal and postnatal maternal care received, and post-weaning social interactions of an individual, in addition to the social environment experienced by previous generations.
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Frances A Champagne, James P Curley. 2005-11-02. How social experiences influence the brain.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conb.2005.10.001
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